IRL Women's Rugby League World Cup : Pool A

Fri 30th October 2026   - KO  17:50 - WIN Stadium, Wollongong , Australia

England

6

FT

24

Half Time
0 - 12

Samoa

Tries

Evie COUSINS (43)

Freedom ROPATI (8,17,29)
Mercedez TAULELEI-SAILA (37)
Fanua RIMONI (65)

Goals

Georgia Roche (1/1)

Pauline PILIAE (2/5)

Match Preview | Winner-takes-all in Women's group stages between England and Samoa

It’s winner-takes-all as England face Samoa in their final group game of the 2026 IRL Women’s Rugby League World Cup on Friday, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

England have won one of their opening two games and will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s 78-0 defeat to Australia with a crucial victory over Samoa.

Samoa also have one win from two matches and hold a superior points difference of +50. However, defeat on Friday would end their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

The match takes place at WIN Stadium in Wollongong, kicking off at 5:50pm local time.

George Roche returns for England for the clash against Samoa, who comes back into the halves to replace Jenna Foubister. Mary Coleman comes in at prop, whilst Holly-Mae Dodd reverts to the back-row in the absence of Eva Hunter.

Samoa name an unchanged starting thirteen from the one that beat Wales 78-0 last time out.

England (squad): Francesca GOLDTHORP, Anna DAVIES, Georgia Wilson, Connie BOYD, Amelia BROWN, Georgia Roche, Mary COLEMAN, Keara BENNETT, Liv WOOD, Lucy MURRAY, Hollie DODD, Megan WILLIAMS, Jodie Cunningham, Victoria Whitfield, Hope MILLARD, Lucie SAMS, Jenna FOUBISTER, Ruby BRUCE, Evie COUSINS, Molly JONES, Isabel ROWE

Samoa (squad): Destiny SINAPATI, Mercedez TAULELEI-SAILA, Monica TAGOAI, Tyra Le EKEPATI, Freedom ROPATI, Evania ISA'AKO , Pauline PILIAE, Annetta NUUAUSALA, Mary Jane TAITO, Laikha (Belinda-Jane) CLARKE, Leilani WILSON, Ivana LOLESIO, Tavarna PAPALII, Jetaya FAIFUA, Fanua RIMONI, Jaydika TAFUA, Christabelle ONESOME-TUILAEPA, Evelyn ROBERTS, Christian PIO, Jasmine FOGAVINI, Ana Leatupue, Amanii Misa

27 October 2026
1 Francesca GOLDTHORP
Full Back
Destiny SINAPATI 1
2 Anna DAVIES
Right Wing
Mercedez TAULELEI-SAILA 2
3 Georgia Wilson
Right Centre
Monica TAGOAI 3
4 Connie BOYD
Left Centre
Tyra Le EKEPATI 4
5 Evie COUSINS
Left Wing
Freedom ROPATI 5
6 Georgia Roche
Stand Off
Evania ISA'AKO 6
7 Isabel ROWE
Scrum Half
Pauline PILIAE 7
8 Mary COLEMAN
Prop
Annetta NUUAUSALA 8
9 Keara BENNETT
Hooker
Mary Jane TAITO 9
10 Liv WOOD
Prop
Laikha (Belinda-Jane) CLARKE 10
11 Hollie DODD
Second Row
Leilani WILSON 11
12 Lucy MURRAY
Second Row
Ivana LOLESIO 12
13 Megan WILLIAMS
Loose Forward
Tavarna PAPALII 13
14 Jodie Cunningham
Int 1
Jetaya FAIFUA 14
15 Victoria Whitfield
Int 2
Fanua RIMONI 15
16 Hope MILLARD
Int 3
Jaydika TAFUA 16
17 Lucie SAMS
Int 4
Christabelle ONESOME-TUILAEPA 17
18 Jenna FOUBISTER
Reserve 1
Jasmine FOGAVINI 18
Match Report | Samoa seal Women's World Cup semi-final spot with England win

Samoa secured their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 IRL Women’s Rugby League World Cup for the first time ever with an impressive victory over England in their final group-stage game in Wollongong.

The winner-takes-all clash saw both sides knowing that only a victory would be enough to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Samoa entered the contest with a superior points difference, but England knew they had to win to keep their tournament hopes intact.

Samoa thought they had made the perfect start when winger Freedom Crichton Ropati crossed early on, only for her effort to be ruled out following a video referee review.

However, the setback did little to disrupt Samoa’s momentum, and they soon found their breakthrough. Crichton Ropati was once again on hand to finish out wide, this time seeing her effort awarded to give Samoa the lead.

The winger proved unstoppable in the first half, crossing for two further tries to complete a sensational hat-trick. Her outstanding display helped Samoa establish a commanding 12-0 lead at half-time, putting them firmly in control of the contest and on course for the last four.

Samoa continued their impressive start to the second half when Mercedez Taulelei-Siala crossed out wide on the opposite wing to extend their advantage.

England responded through Leeds winger Evie Cousins, who finished well out wide to give her side a much-needed lifeline. However, a penalty goal from Pauline Piliae-Rasabale soon restored Samoa’s two-score advantage as the game entered its final 20 minutes.

England desperately needed another response, but Samoa remained disciplined in defence and managed the closing stages effectively.

With eight minutes remaining, England looked to create an opportunity out wide through Francesa Goldthorpe, but her pass towards an unmarked Anna Davies was ruled forward by referee Chris Kendall, bringing a promising attack to an end.

Samoa capitalised on England’s missed opportunity in the closing moments, with Fanua Rimoni crossing to the right of the posts from ten metres out to secure their fifth try of the afternoon.

The result confirmed Samoa’s place in the semi-finals following a commanding performance, with Crichton Ropati’s first-half hat-trick proving decisive. For England, it was a disappointing end to their group-stage campaign as their hopes of reaching the last four came to an end.

30 October 2026